Pocket sputum-cup holder



Dec h 1924- 1,518,302

" D. R. BULLA POCKET SPUTUM C UP HOLDER Fi Ied Nov. 28, 1923 anus-mica Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

UNlTED STATEd r oFFIc POCKET SP'UTUIVE-CUP HOLDER.

Application filed November 28, 1923.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DANIEL R. BULLA, a citizen of the United States residing at Sophia, in the county of Randolph and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pocket Sputum-Cup Holders, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact de scription.

This invention relates to a pocket holder for sputum cups and has for its object to provide such a device formed of metal or the like and which is so constructed as to automatically bulge the cup open as the lid of the holder is released.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a holder having a hinged side which will swing outwardly as the mouth of the cup is expanded.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the holder and cup in open position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the holder in closed position, a portion of one of the end walls being broken away, and,

Figure 3 is a vertical section through a portion of the holder and cup.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, the numeral 1 refers to, the holder generally which is formed of metal or other stiff material and comprises integral back, side and bottom walls, 2, 3, and 4t respectively. The bottom wall 4 is provided with an integral extension 5 which forms a portion of the front wall of the holder and has hinged thereto the front panel or cover ('3. Springs 7 are provided for normally holding the cover 6 in closed position.

Hingedly mounted on the rear wall 2 of the holder is a lid 8 which may be thrown to open position by means of coil springs 9. The ends of the lid 8 are formed with hooked portions 10 which are adapted to be engaged by the hooked upper ends 11 of the leaf springs 12, the latter being secured as indicated at 13 to the inner sides of the end walls 3 and provided with push buttons 14 extending through openings in the end walls. The lid 8 is formed with a downwardly extending front flange 15 which, when the lid is in closed position,

Serial No. 677,454.

will engage over the upper end of the front wall 6 and positively hold the same in closed position.

The numeral 16 indicates a paper cup of any well-known type which is positioned within the holder 1; while the numeral 17 indicates a weight located at the bottom of the holder to assist in maintaining the latter in upright position when seated on a table or the like.

In operation, the parts being in the position shown in Figure 2, if it is desired to use the cup, the push buttons 14 are pressed inwardly. This action moves the leaf springs 12 inwardly and thereby disengages the hooks 11 from the hooks 10 thus permitting the lid 8 to swing open. The raising of the lid 8 releases the front panel 6 and allows the same to be swung outwardly by pressure of the envelope 16 as the latter is bulged open by pressure of the leaf springs 12 against the edges of the envelope.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided an exceedingly simple holder for paper cups and one which may be fully opened by merely exerting a slight pressure on the JllSh buttons; it will also be noted that t e system of closures and fastening means is such as to insure the holder against opening while in the pocket.

In accordance with the patent statutes, 1 have described what I now believe to be the best embodiment of the invention, but I do not wish to be understood thereby as limiting myself or the scope of the invention, as many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention; all such I aim to include in the scope of the appended claims.

Having fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described a cup, a holder for said cup comprising a bottom, sides and ends, a lid hinged to said holder, a spring for normally throwing said lid to open position, means engaging said lid for holding the same closed, said means adapted to be moved into engagement with the cup when releasing the lid and thereby expanding the mouth of the former.

2. In a device of the class described, a holder, a cup mounted therein, a lid on said holder, leaf springs in said holder for normally holding said lid in closed position said leaf springs adapted to engage the cup and expand the mouth thereof.

3. In a device of the class described, a cup a. holder for said cup comprising a bottom, sides and ends, a lid hinged to said holder, a spring for normally throwing said lid to open position, means engaging said lid for holding the same closed, said means adapted to be moved into on gagement with the cup when releasing the lid thereby expanding the mouth of the former, and a Weight in the base of said holder.

4. In a device of the class described, a holder including a resiliently mounted front panel, a cup positioned Within said holder, means engaging the edges of the cup for expanding the month thereof, said resiliently mounted panel permitting a free expansion of the mouth of the cup.

5. In a device of the class described, a holder including a hinged front panel, means normally forcing said panel to closed position, a hinged lid, means normally :lorcing said lid to open position, means for securing said lid in closed position. and a flange on said lid for locking said panel in closed position.

6. In a device 01. the class described. a holder including a hinged front panel, means norn'ially forcing said panel to closed position. a hinged lid, means normally torcing said lid to open position, leaf springs secured to the interior of the holder and adapted to normally hold said lid in closed position, and a flange on said lid for locle ing said panel in closed position.

D. R. BULLA. 

